"heavenly, of the sky"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Celeste
Pronunciation: [ s-uhl-EHST ]
Does Celeste flow with your last name?
Heaven-born — as vast, serene, and luminous as the sky itself
French
Italian
English
Spanish
Elegant
Vintage
Whimsical
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"divine, celestial"
Origin: Latin
Language: French
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The Story of Celeste
Celeste comes from the Latin 'caelestis' meaning heavenly or of the sky, derived from 'caelum' (sky, heaven). The name has been used in Romance languages since the medieval period, particularly in France and Italy, where its associations with the divine and celestial made it a name for those believed to have heavenly qualities. It shares its root with 'celestial,' 'ceiling' (from Latin 'caelum'), and the name of the color celestine blue.
Celeste has been rising in the US since the early 2010s, driven by parents seeking vintage celestial names. British soul singer Celeste (born Celeste Epiphany Waite) won the BRIT Award for Rising Star in 2020 and performed the official James Bond Spectre tribute, bringing fresh cultural attention to the name.
In Catholic tradition, Pope Celestine V (1294) made the extraordinary decision to resign the papacy — the only pope to do so before Benedict XVI in 2013. Dante placed Celestine in hell for what he saw as 'the great refusal.' In children's literature, Céleste is the beloved queen of the elephants in Jean de Brunhoff's Babar series (1931).
Historical Record
Celeste first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 57,351 babies have been named Celeste in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Celeste is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #198 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Pope Celestine V's resignation in 1294 was unprecedented — no pope had resigned in over 700 years before Benedict XVI followed in 2013
- 'Celeste' is a shade of sky blue, named after the heavenly color — also the name of a musical instrument (celesta) that produces an ethereal, bell-like sound
- Céleste is the queen of the elephants in Jean de Brunhoff's Babar series, one of the most beloved children's book characters in French literature
Celeste in Other Languages
French
Céleste
German
Celeste
Italian
Celeste
Spanish
Celeste
Portuguese
Celeste
Popularity Over Time
#198
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Celeste
C
Celeste
Musician
2000
British soul and jazz singer who won the BRIT Rising Star Award in 2020 and performed the Spectre memorial tribute at th...
British soul and jazz singer who won the BRIT Rising Star Award in 2020 and performed the Spectre memorial tribute at the BRIT Awards
C
Céleste Fictional
Other
The elegant queen of the elephants in Jean de Brunhoff's beloved Babar children's book series (1931)
C
Celeste Martin Fictional
Other
Character in the HBO drama Big Little Lies (2017), played by Nicole Kidman in her Emmy Award-winning performance
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Compare Celeste with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #198
- Total SSA Count
- 1,556
- Cultural Origins
- French Italian English Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cele
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Celeste
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Celeste is also used as a boy name, ranked #38359.
View Celeste as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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"gift of God"
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Ancient Greek origin
"torch, the bright one"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Celeste
What does the name Celeste mean?
"heavenly, of the sky" (from Latin). "divine, celestial" (from Latin). Celeste comes from the Latin 'caelestis' meaning heavenly or of the sky, derived from 'caelum' (sky, heaven). The name has been used in Romance languages since the medieval period, particularly in France and Italy, where its associations with the divine and celestial made it a name for those believed to have heavenly qualities. It shares its root with 'celestial,' 'ceiling' (from Latin 'caelum'), and the name of the color celestine blue.
What is the origin of the name Celeste?
Celeste has Latin, French, Italian, English, and Spanish origins. In Latin, it means "heavenly, of the sky". In Latin, it means "divine, celestial".
Is Celeste a boy or girl name?
Celeste is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #198. As a boy name, it is ranked #38359. Celeste is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Celeste?
Celeste is pronounced s-uhl-EHST.
How popular is the name Celeste?
Celeste is currently ranked #198 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Celeste?
Common nicknames for Celeste include Cele.
What are good middle names for Celeste?
Popular middle name pairings include Celeste Marie, Celeste Rose, Celeste June, Celeste Eloise, Celeste Anne, and Celeste Louise.
What are good sibling names for Celeste?
Names that pair well with Celeste as siblings include Violet, Iris, Aurora, Sebastian, Felix, and Hugo.
How many syllables does Celeste have?
Celeste has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Celeste a common or rare name?
Celeste is a popular name, ranked #198 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Celeste?
About the Name Celeste
Celeste is a girl name with French, Italian, English, and Spanish origins . The name means "heavenly, of the sky" in Latin .
Is Celeste a boy or girl name? Celeste is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #198 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,359. Celeste is more commonly used as a girl name.
Celeste is currently ranked #198 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Celeste has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-uhl-EHST, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Celeste include Cele. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Celeste include Celestia, Celestine . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis